需 → 萃
Hexagram 5: Waiting → Hexagram 45: Gathering Together
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 4).
Line 1
初九 需于郊。利用恆。无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
Line 2
九二 需于沙。小有言。終吉。
Nine in the second place means: Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
Line 3
九三 需于泥。致寇至。
Nine in the third place means: Waiting in the mud Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
Line 4
六四 需于血。出自穴。
Six in the fourth place means: Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
大口宣舌，神使仲言。黃龍景星，出應德門。與福上天，天下安昌。
A great mouth proclaims with authority; the spirits send Zhong to speak. The yellow dragon and auspicious star appear in answer at the gate of virtue. Rising together with blessing to heaven; all under heaven prospers.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Clouds above heaven gather as the lake collects upon the earth in Gathering. A great mouth opens wide, and spirits command their spokesman to declare: the Yellow Dragon and Auspicious Star appear at the Gate of Virtue. Blessing rises to heaven, and all under heaven prospers. The Yellow Dragon and Auspicious Star are twin omens of sage governance — celestial confirmations that the ruler has achieved harmony with the Way. 'The Gate of Virtue' (德門) is where cosmic signs manifest for the virtuous. From Waiting to Gathering, patient nourishment draws all things together: the lake upon the earth is natural congregation, and when virtue reaches its fullness, even heaven responds by sending its most magnificent portents to where the people assemble.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store